Science, funding, and space technologies. The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology at the 35th Economic Forum
The 35th edition of the Economic Forum takes place in Karpacz under the motto “Architecture of the new order – stability in times of change”. Among the participants of the event is the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, who on the first day of the Forum took part in three discussion panels.
The Forum, which takes place on the 8th to -10th September 2026, is one of the largest and most important events in Central and Eastern Europe. This year’s program includes more than 500 different events, taking place within eight main thematic tracks: AI Forum, Digital Forum, Health Protection Forum, Forum of Regions, Economy, International Policy and Security, Society and Sustainable Development. The event is attended by over 6000 participants from the world of politics, business, and science.
The first of the panels, attended by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, was the discussion “Science as a strategic investment of the state. What is the financial contract for Polish universities?” organized in the “Rzeczpospolita” lounge. It was also attended by the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Prof. Maria Mrówczyńska, Rector of the University of Warsaw Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the Wrocław University of Technology Prof. Arkadiusz Wójs, and Rector of the Jagiellonian University Prof. Piotr Jedynak. The discussion concerned, among other things, what is the best way to finance science and higher education.
- Investment in science is an insurance policy for the state - explained the Rector of our University. - This year, a decision was made - if the procedures are successful - to increase the financial resources for science, and thus increase the subsidies, which we are counting on very much. These are the resources we need to use rationally. It is thanks to them that we invest in science, young people, and new research areas. There is no direct algorithm for this. The subsidy is still the main source of university income, but we should also increasingly turn to other sources of funding.
Rector Marek Pawełczyk also participated in the NAWA’s partner panel “How to attract talent – about the importance of academic mobility,” in which participants discussed effective competition for the best researchers and students and how their presence in Poland translates into the development of science, economy, and the whole country.
Another panel “From the depths of the earth to space - will the “Wujek” mine become the centre of space technology?” enjoyed great interest. It was organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and took place in the Polish Science Zone. Apart from Rector Marek Pawełczyk, also Dr Hab. Eng. Jakub Nalepa, Prof. SUT, the astronaut Dr Eng. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and science populariser and founder of the “Science. I Like it” Dr Tomasz Rożek took part in the discussion. The participants discussed a new idea for using the area which the “Wujek” mine occupied previously. The interlocutors pointed to the possibilities and potential of the Silesian University of Technology, which could contribute to the creation of a space technology centre.
- The Silesian University of Technology can gain a lot in this project but also offer a lot. The area after the Wujek mine is unique in Europe, and our University wants to positively influence what is happening in our region. It can be a great place to make good use of the potential of science – explained Rector Marek Pawełczyk. – The Silesian University of Technology has been combining mining and space competences for years – we have ten student science clubs that gather hundreds of students who deal with this subject. Our University also co-creates the European University EURECA-PRO, which we have the privilege to currently chair. It includes nine universities that are functioning in post-mining areas.
- Our University has a huge potential - both scientific and technological. It is very nice that such excellent participants of the panel noticed this. This project can bring many benefits at the scientific and industrial level – adds Prof. Jakub Nalepa - My participation in it is also possible. We have studied the areas of science in which I could work. They are related both to artificial intelligence and to testing algorithms that we create on a daily basis, but also to the equipment that we develop for space applications. These are devices that need to work in extreme environments. Such conditions may be reflected, for example, in the area after the “Wujek” mine.
The participants also discussed the place of Polish science in the space industry.
- I am glad that the conversation also stated that in our country we are not afraid of difficult decisions. It seems to me that scientific and economic growth, maybe not evolutionary, but revolutionary. is very strongly associated with bold decisions that should not be feared. Thanks to this, we can do something new, better and introduce a really new quality - explains Prof. Jakub Nalepa.
